Catheter anchoring balloon structure with irrigation

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an anchoring balloon structure for use with catheters. The anchoring balloon structure contains an expandable balloon disposed about a port on a catheter, and a pressure-relief valve for regulating the pressure in the balloon and for providing irrigation to a body lumen. The pressure-relief valve is located external to the expandable balloon. The balloon, when filled with fluid, expands and is engaged in direct contact with the tissue. The increase in pressure caused by the balloon against the tissue causes any additional fluid to migrate into the valve region, whereby excess pressure is released and irrigation is provided to the body lumen.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An anchoring balloon device comprising: 
       a flexible elongate member having an interior lumen extending therethrough for the delivery of an inflation fluid;  
       an expandable balloon disposed about a portion of the flexible elongate member and in fluid communication with the lumen via at least one port, the balloon being adapted to be positioned at a treatment site; and  
       a pressure-relief valve for regulating the pressure of fluid within the expandable balloon, the pressure-relief valve being configured to open and release irrigation fluid to the treatment site in response to excess pressure exerted on the expandable balloon.  
     
     
       2. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate member is a catheter. 
     
     
       3. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-relief valve provides irrigation. 
     
     
       4. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-relief valve regulates pressure. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising means for inflating the expandable balloon. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the means for inflating the expandable balloon comprises a conduit defined in the interior lumen of the flexible elongate member for directing fluid into the expandable balloon. 
     
     
       7. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the expandable balloon comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
       8. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the expandable balloon, when fully expanded, engages and is in direct contact with the tissue of a body lumen. 
     
     
       9. An anchoring balloon device comprising: 
       a flexible elongate member having an interior lumen extending therethrough for the delivery of an inflation fluid;  
       an expandable balloon adapted to be positioned at a treatment site and disposed about a portion of the flexible elongate member and in fluid communication with the lumen via at least one port; and  
       a sleeve disposed about a second port in the flexible elongate member.  
     
     
       10. A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve provides irrigation. 
     
     
       11. An anchoring balloon device comprising: 
       a flexible elongate member having an interior lumen extending therethrough for the delivery of an inflation fluid:  
       an expandable balloon adapted to be positioned at a treatment site and disposed about a portion of the flexible elongate member and in fluid communication with the lumen via at least one port; and  
       an expandable fluid diffusing balloon disposed about a second port in the flexible elongate member.  
     
     
       12. A device according to  claim 11 , wherein the fluid diffusing balloon provides irrigation. 
     
     
       13. An anchoring balloon device comprising: 
       a flexible elongate member having a side wall and an interior lumen extending therethrough, the side wall having first and second ports in communication with a source of fluid;  
       an expandable balloon disposed adapted to be positioned at a treatment site and about the first port of the flexible elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the expandable balloon being bonded at the proximal end and distal end to the flexible elongate member; and  
       a sleeve disposed about the second port of the flexible elongate member.  
     
     
       14. A device according to  claim 13 , wherein the flexible elongate member is a catheter. 
     
     
       15. A device according to  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve provides irrigation. 
     
     
       16. A device according to  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve regulates pressure. 
     
     
       17. A device according to  claim 13 , further comprising means for inflating the expandable balloon. 
     
     
       18. A device according to  claim 13 , wherein the expandable balloon, when fully expanded, engages and is in direct contact with the tissue of a body lumen. 
     
     
       19. An anchoring balloon device comprising: 
       a flexible elongate member having a side wall and an interior lumen extending therethrough, the side wall having a port in communication with a source of fluid;  
       an expandable balloon adapted to be positioned at a treatment site and disposed about the port of the flexible elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the expandable balloon being bonded at the proximal end and distal end to the flexible elongate member; and  
       an elongated slit passing through the flexible elongate member in communication with a source of fluid;  
       wherein pressure exerted on the expandable balloon can cause the elongated slit to open and release fluid.  
     
     
       20. The anchoring balloon device of  claim 19 , further comprising a fluid diffuser sleeve disposed about the elongated slit. 
     
     
       21. A device according to  claim 19 , wherein the flexible elongate member is a catheter. 
     
     
       22. A device according to  claim 19 , wherein the elongated slit provides irrigation. 
     
     
       23. The anchoring balloon device according to  claim 19 , further comprising an expandable fluid diffusing balloon disposed about the elongated slit. 
     
     
       24. The anchoring balloon device according to  claim 23 , wherein the expandable fluid diffusing balloon provides irrigation.